I apologize for the delay in getting this part out. I've been making MVs and writing CI MA fic. The vids are up on my site and the MA fic will be posted to my site this weekend. And now, I return you to your regularly schedule AU fic.

Thanks: To Jenn, for the constant reminding that I should be doing this instead of all the other things I've been doing. And to everyone else for hanging in there while I exorcised some demons, kinda.

A/N: After a short hiatus, I believe that we are back in business. This chapter will be short and you'll thank me. Rough seas ahead. And we are flying unbeta'd here.

I hurt myself today to see if I still feel – Nine Inch Nails

The children sleep fitfully, mumbling in terror at the demons that chase them in the hazy world between life and death. None of them have eaten in days. Communication has been reduced to grunts and moans, pain the only shared emotion.

Their captor, a frequent guest in the dank basement, sits on the stairs. Listening to the melancholy harmony of whimpers and sighs, he watches the children at their most vulnerable.

The circle is almost complete. Three boys and three girls lay on the dirty floor of the unfinished room, all curled into fetal balls, creating a false sense of protection. On a whim, he could kill any one of them and leave the body to be found, shattering what little sanity is left in the group.

But he does not. Instead, he watches, content in the knowledge that tomorrow will bring the final member of the circle and the beginning of the ritual. This time there is no room for failure.

He waits at the end of the block, his vehicle nondescript and unnoticed. This final member of the circle was chosen weeks ago, this abduction the most carefully planned.

He knew he was playing a dangerous game. But he had sensed the power in this one, this woman-child, when he had first seen her in the park. He had watched her carefully, watched her parents and learned all he could of their habits. The father regularly worked long hours, sometimes coming home after midnight. The mother, while devoted, was also spread too thin, caring for three children alone.

As he watched the house, he saw the father leave the house - briefcase in one hand, coffee in the other. Shuffling and struggling ensued before he was able to gain entrance to his car. As the father's car passed, he crouched low in the seat, remaining unseen.

Thirty minutes later, he watched as the mother loaded all the children into the station wagon, placing the object of his obsession in a booster seat in the back. As the wagon backed out, he started his car. He knew the morning routine, so felt no need to follow closely.

The mother dropped the two oldest daughters off at school. Then she and the Chosen One went to a nearby diner, where they had a leisurely breakfast. He sat four tables away, eating his food and watching, anticipating the joy he would feel at completing the circle.

Their next stop was the park, the mother sitting and chatting with her friends while the Chosen One played with the other children in the playground. He sat on the other side from the mother and waited for his chance.

The opportunity came quickly enough. The Chosen One headed towards his side of the playground, her attention caught by the flowers that were starting to grow there. As she approached, he pulled a small mirror from his pocket, further dazzling her with reflected sunlight.

He lured her close to him. Seeing that his action remained unnoticed, he stood quickly. Grabbing her, he placed a hand over her mouth as he turned. Frequently checking over his shoulder, he left the park.

Upon reaching his car, he opened the passenger side door and set her down. Whispering a few words to her, he closed the door. As he slid behind the steering wheel, he saw that silent tears were coursing down her face. Wiping tears from her cheek, he smiled before starting the car.

He pointed the vehicle in the direction of home, already planning when he would perform the ritual.

The trilling of the cell phone caused a few harsh looks to be thrown in Jimmy's direction. Apologizing, he stood and left the room to answer the call.

Moments later, Jimmy was back in the room, a look of panicked terror on his face.

"Bobby," Jimmy whimpered, "someone…kidnapped my daughter… from the park."

Jimmy collapsed against the door, sobbing.

TBC